Academic Comparison between Highline and SPU

Highline College and Seattle Pacific University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Highline is a four-year, public school located in Des Moines, WA and SPU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Seattle, WA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Highline is a public and SPU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • SPU has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,407) than Highline ($5,332).
  • Highline has more students with 5,592 students while SPU has 2,261 students.
  • SPU has more full-time faculties with 176 faculties while Highline has 154 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Highline Collegevs.Seattle Pacific University
Des Moines, WashingtonLocationSeattle, Washington
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Associate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate'sCarnegie ClassificationDoctoral / Research University
In-State$4,772
Out-Of-State$5,332
2025 Tuition & Fees$40,407
36%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$6,234Average Amount of Financial Aid$28,171
-Acceptance Rates83.40 %
-Yield (Enrollment Rates)15.75 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
35 %Graduation Rate62 %
20 %Transfer-out Rate25 %
-Retention Rate72 %
5,592Student Population2,261
154Number of Faculties176
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services